Esau approached quickly with 400 men. Jacob trembled, wondering what was about to happen. 

Does my brother Esau still hate me? Does he plan to kill me?

Jacob called the family together to prepare them to meet their Uncle Esau. He divided the family into two groups. Maybe he could at least save half the family.

Jacob had sent three groups of shepherds ahead of him, with hundreds of animals in each group. Jacob instructed his shepherds to explain to Esau that he was coming in peace. 

Jacob organized his family in order of importance. The servant wives and their children first, Leah and her children, and then Rachel with her son Joseph.

When Esau got within view, Jacob put all to marching towards Esau to meet him. 

Jacob then walked towards his brother, bowing to the ground seven times. He continues bowing to his brother. 

Esau ran to meet Jacob and grabbed Jacob and hugged and kissed him. Together they cried. 

How can I thank God for touching Esau’s heart and preparing him for our meeting?

When Esau saw the people, he asked who Jacob had with him.”

“These are the children God has so graciously given your servant.”

Each of the servants and their children approached Esau and bowed before him. Leah, with her children, bowed. Joseph introduced Rachel, and they bowed. 

Why did you send all the shepherds and animals to me?”

“To assure you, I am coming in peace. I just wanted you to be happy to see me again.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, my brother. I have plenty. You keep what you have.”

“No, please, if you are pleased to see me, please accept my gifts. Seeing you is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. God has been super good to me.”

“Ok, if you insist, then I will accept your gifts! Let’s leave the shepherds here, and you can ride back with me now.”

“I would love to join you, but my children are small. They will not travel well quickly, and I do not want to go on without them. My flocks worry me. We have traveled nearly 500 miles now. Everyone is a little tired.” 

“I would like to stay with my herds and care for them. They all have young babies. If I were to hurry them up, they would all die.”

“You go ahead, and I will come along slowly. I will travel at the gait of the livestock and my children till I get there.”

“Let me lead on softly at the speed they can travel. I don’t want to push them too much. If I push them, I risk their well-being.”

“I can leave some of my men with you.”

“No, there is no need for that. There are a lot of workers. I hope you will trust me. I am thankful that we are together again.”

“I am just trying to care for those God has put under my care. Hurrying would weaken my tired children and the animals with their babies. I will be there; just give me some time.”

I hope the lessons are obvious. 

Leadership must know the state of their flock, intimately knowledgeable of their condition. Leadership is not about the leader or organization. It is about the flock.

Good leaders know that pushing too hard will hurt people and destroy relationships.

Good leaders know where they are going. They know they will get the flock there too, but they choose to lead on softly. Let the people learn and change as they grow and get stronger.

No bullying, manipulating, pushing, and prodding, just loving and gentle guidance. 

The flock needs to mature to understand what they should do. Let them grow.